"Just time for me to step aside," said Wright, 19-28 in five seasons, including one playoff berth, in 2005. "It wasn't that anyone was pressuring me; I just want to see the other side for a while."

Wright began his coaching career in 1996, as an assistant at Canton. The former Eastern Illinois quarterback took over as head coach in 2004. The 50-year-old is keeping the door open for a return as an assistant.

Canton athletics director Bob Schlemmer said there is no timetable for a new hire. Wright said Canton defensive coordinator Justin Miller likely would apply, but no other candidates' names have surfaced.

Alderman, meanwhile, is stepping aside to focus on his job as director of student affairs at Dunlap Middle School. He also is working to complete his administrative degree at Western Illinois.

"I could probably do (both), but it wouldn't be fair to my family or the football team," Alderman said. 'This is a new opportunity and a new challenge.'

Alderman leaves a successful legacy at the growing school district. The Eagles were 58-43 in his 10 seasons, qualified for the playoffs seven of the last eight seasons and advanced to the second round four times.

Peterson said he'll look internally and outside the school, with interviews beginning in earnest after the holidays. He hopes to have a coach in place by mid-January.

The school also is losing longtime football assistants Tom Wooden and Jack Esterdahl, who both will retire from teaching. The right situation could bring them back to the sidelines. If not, Alderman said this would be a good transition time for the program — which is likely to blossom as the community expands.

"I'm biased, but I think this is one the best jobs in the Peoria area," said Alderman, who before Dunlap was head coach at Piasa Southwestern and worked as a college assistant at MacMurray and Evansville. "I'm proud of what not only my staff did, but the kids and the parental support."

Morton, Limestone and Pekin hired new coaches last offseason. That leaves only Metamora, Washington and East Peoria as M-I schools with coaches who have more than one season of experience at their respective schools.

Wes Huett can be reached at 686-3208 or whuett@pjstar.com.

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